The Wilmingtonian., 1887-07-09
VOL. VINO. 2SS.
Proof of Incompetency.

ITOOl vi incompetence
At recent meeting of the committee of
Trustees of Delaware College Congressman
Pennington is credited with making use OF
the expression We have been struggling for
years to make a SUCCESS of Delaware Col
lege, and we can and should get the most
eminent men to I'LL the chairs aud mon who
have a following"
In the connection, it may be cogently ask
ed, could there be more ridiculous asser-
tion made?
What business has college professor or
college president with following
A college professor is, OF should be, con-
dition whose sole raison d'etre is his scholas-
tic sttainments, and ability to impart them
to his class.
In all common sense what on earth has
teacher to do with following Could there
be any more ridiculous, indeed impertinent
assertion than the one referred to. Is it pos
siblo that the high and honorable position Of
a college professor must have tackled to it
the contemplate, degrading, requirements
of a politician or wire-puller. We hope that
above all things that the new faculty will
hold their position as scholars and teachers,
"and for these qualifications alone.'
When such disreputale ideas as those ex-
pressed by congressman Pennington are al
lowed to obtain, and that without instant
and condign criticism Delswaresns may well
feel solcitude for the fate of the college.
In the condemnable sentiment referred to
there is sufficient indications of what is ini-
mical to any school of high standing, as to
have its expounder watched as one entirely
| unfit to hold the honorable position of trus-
tee, independent of whether what was said
was expressed intentionally or uuintention-
ally.
What is worse still is the funny sugges-
|
tion scheme 'that whoever may be selected
as president of the college, must before such
selection guarantee to secure three new stu
| dents and each professor elected 60 guaran-
tee to secure two new students, and if any
one year any professor secure more than the
Lumber he was to be credited in the year To
come. The fees of the students secured GO
to the professor securing them"
1t is time some reform were made in this
most degrading custom-a custom in vogue
in no other college in the country having
aspirations similar to the State University
Such practices would be well enough suited
to the "Do-the- boys Hall'' as described b,
Charles Dickens But fop Nineteenth
Century American State College it is mos
shameful evil,
And it is time right now that Delawar,
College awake to the evil of it.
If there are not men in this State with suffi
oient educational decenoy and honor to or,
halt upon the custom, pray let us ask 70
light and intelligence aud educational de
cency from our sister States.
Why should any professional man be sad
died with contemplate business of rovinl
the country for pupils, begging here au
there Is it not humilisting that any pro
fessional man should to cry his own wares
1t is scandalous-if only the thick skiune
and short-visioned men who uphold sucl
practices could perceive the evil Of it,
Delaware College must be propped up b
such meaus it would be far better to knoe
/ away the props and let the college die.
Scholarship should attract by its own ii
herent morit-if it caunot there is no d,
mand for it, And that, with the regrettab
implication andcc ccnclusiou inferred, is all tbi
can be said.